Concerns have been raised by volunteers in Angus over a lack of support for an initiative which brings news to the visually impaired.
The Angus Talking Newspaper Association produces audio versions of the local news publications which are distributed to blind and visually impaired people throughout the county.
However, the group has expressed concerns that, despite rising national figures for visual impairment, the number of listeners receiving the Angus CDs has been steadily declining in the past 10 years.
The group held its annual meeting recently and discussed what could be done to rectify the situation.
A group spokesman said: “Traditionally Angus Council social work department has referred people diagnosed with visual impairment to the Talking Newspaper service, and it is these referrals that have significantly reduced in the past few years.
“This has been of concern for some time and in the past year has been drawn to the attention of Angus Council and Tayside NHS, but there has been a surprising lack of response. The meeting agreed that efforts would be continued to open a dialogue on this matter.
“It was also agreed that, now that a new logo has been finalised after a competition held among primary schools last year, every effort should be made to get a new information leaflet finalised and distributed to public places such as residential homes, doctors’ surgeries, access offices and libraries.”
A spokeswoman for the council said: “We have been in direct dialogue with Angus Talking Newspaper Association specifically about how we promote their services since March 2013 and a meeting with them is scheduled in June to speak with them about other methods of promotion.
“As discussed with the association in March, in addition to our occupational therapy staff advising people with visual impairments about Angus Talking Newspaper Association, as a staff reference we also have written contact details about them in all our area offices.”
Confirmation of dates and venues for the association’s meetings can be obtained on the website www.angustalkingnews.co.uk, or by ringing 01575 575912.
Anyone who would like to volunteer with the association can use the same number or look at the website for more information.